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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Trailblazer years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,220 reports with mileage · 246 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 617 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 435 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

59 crash reports25 fire reports41 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

140 reports
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50,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
Exterior Lighting

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11122850

113,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LEAVING FROM WORK AT NIGHT AND WHEN CAR INITIALLY WAS TURNED ON, THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATED, BUT THEN WENT OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME USING FOG LAMPS AND HIGH BEAMS ONLY. THEY NEVER DID COME ON IN A 25 MINUTE DRIVE. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE 2006 ARE IN A RECALL FOR THI…

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LEAVING FROM WORK AT NIGHT AND WHEN CAR INITIALLY WAS TURNED ON, THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATED, BUT THEN WENT OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME USING FOG LAMPS AND HIGH BEAMS ONLY. THEY NEVER DID COME ON IN A 25 MINUTE DRIVE. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE 2006 ARE IN A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT NOT THE 2005. VERY UNSAFE! MY KIDS ARE SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THIS CAR, BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE!

NHTSA ODI #11121553

113,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Exterior Lighting

WHEN LEAVING WORK AT NIGHT ON 8/21/18, STARTED THE CAR AND THE LOW BEAMS CAME ON, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT OFF. THEY WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. HAD TO DRIVE HOME USING THE FOG LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS. HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A WEEK. DOESN'T SEEM SAFE. SEE THAT LOTS OF TRAILBLAZERS HAVE THIS ISSUE. LOOKS LIKE RECALL BEGINS WI…

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WHEN LEAVING WORK AT NIGHT ON 8/21/18, STARTED THE CAR AND THE LOW BEAMS CAME ON, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT OFF. THEY WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. HAD TO DRIVE HOME USING THE FOG LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS. HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A WEEK. DOESN'T SEEM SAFE. SEE THAT LOTS OF TRAILBLAZERS HAVE THIS ISSUE. LOOKS LIKE RECALL BEGINS WITH THE 2006 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11121552

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER A WHILE OF USE AS IF THE OVER HEAT AND GO OFF ONCE THEY COOL OFF THEY COME BACK ON BUT THEY GO OFF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINS OF USE. ONLY THE BRIGHTS WILL WORK AT THIS TIME. SO NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME THAT MY LIGHTS JUST GO OFF OUT OF NOWHERE THEN I HAVE TO TURN MY BRIGHTS ON WHICH IS A SAFETY…

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THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER A WHILE OF USE AS IF THE OVER HEAT AND GO OFF ONCE THEY COOL OFF THEY COME BACK ON BUT THEY GO OFF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINS OF USE. ONLY THE BRIGHTS WILL WORK AT THIS TIME. SO NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME THAT MY LIGHTS JUST GO OFF OUT OF NOWHERE THEN I HAVE TO TURN MY BRIGHTS ON WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER PEOPLE AND AGAINST THE WALL YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THE 2006 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WHY WOULD YOU NOT HAVE THE RECALL ON THE 2005 MODEL THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS THE SAME ISSUE THEY GO OFF ON BACK ROADS THEY GO OFF ON THE HIGHWAY THEY GO OFF IN THE CITY THEY GO OFF IN THE COUNTRY THEY GO OFF ANYWHERE THAT I'M DRIVING ANYTIME THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THAT WILL GO OFF AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF USE WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR IT IS STATIONARY. THIS IMHAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR MANY YEARS BUT I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT IT FOR MYSELF AND I FEEL IT'S AN ISSUE THAT YOU ALL SHOULD RESOLVE I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11104287

45,000 miles · Jun 25, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I CAN'T SEEM TO TURN THEM BACK ON, I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TUN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF AND NOTHING HAPPENS, I'VE HAD THE FUSSED AND HEADLIGHTS CHANGED AND I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A SOLUTION. THE SEEM TO JUST GO ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS IF A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AN…

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THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I CAN'T SEEM TO TURN THEM BACK ON, I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TUN THE SWITCH ON AND OFF AND NOTHING HAPPENS, I'VE HAD THE FUSSED AND HEADLIGHTS CHANGED AND I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A SOLUTION. THE SEEM TO JUST GO ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS IF A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HAVE FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY CHEVY OWNER THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND I'S SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS UNSAFE DEFECT!

NHTSA ODI #11103730

155,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAMS JUST GO OUT. I HAVE MOVED RELAYS AROUND BUT IT DOESN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY POLICE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I AM BLINDING OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS LIT. I SEE THEY RECALLED THE 2006 AND LATER MODELS FO…

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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAMS JUST GO OUT. I HAVE MOVED RELAYS AROUND BUT IT DOESN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY POLICE SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE I AM BLINDING OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS LIT. I SEE THEY RECALLED THE 2006 AND LATER MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WORK AT A SHOP AND WE SEE , ON AVERAGE, 10 PER YEAR THAT ARE 2005 AND THAT'S JUST IN OUR SMALL COMMUNITY. IF I SET A HALF HOUR, SOMETIMES AN HOUR THEN THE DIMS START WORKING AGAIN. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS MAY 5TH OF 2018

NHTSA ODI #11092343

180,000 miles · Apr 18, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAMS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. NOT EVERY MORNING BUT 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK THIS HAPPENS TO ME. IT IS DANGEROUS BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY SCARE ME ANYMORE. IT HAS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN I STOP AT THE END OF MY ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11088816

110,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO SEE ANYTHING. LOOKED ONLINE SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE YET NO RECALLS WHEN ENTERING MY VIN. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11062922

1,800,000 miles · Nov 24, 2017
Exterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND THE RELAY SWITCH. THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN WILL GO OUT AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WILL WORK ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW …

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MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND THE RELAY SWITCH. THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN WILL GO OUT AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WILL WORK ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET MY LIGHTS BACK ON AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE 2005 SEEMS TO BIG A BIG ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THE DATE I SELECTED BELOW FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENED IS THE MOST RECENT.

NHTSA ODI #11048235

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2017
Exterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK AND MY AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON. I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH TWO TRACTOR TRAILORS TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT. SUDDENLY IT WENT DARK. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I GOT AROUND THE TRUCKS AND PULLED IN…

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I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK AND MY AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON. I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH TWO TRACTOR TRAILORS TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT. SUDDENLY IT WENT DARK. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I GOT AROUND THE TRUCKS AND PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. BEFORE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEY TURNED ON AND STAYED ON. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IN THE DARK A LONG DISTANCE UNTIL THE OTHER NIGHT. MY HEADLIGHTS MAY HAVE BEEN TURNING OFF AND ON IN THE DAYLIGHT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I CHECKED AND THERE WASN'T ANY OPEN RECALLS. ALTHOUGH THE 2006 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER HAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11039292

Official recalls

2

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V035000 · Visibility:windshield

Feb 3, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

DP10001 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure

Opened Jan 7, 2010 · Closed May 23, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Other

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.